*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
Now that we’ve properly recovered from the roller-coaster ride of the season four premiere of This Is Us, it’s time to break down the new characters who have entered into the Pearson family’s orbit. And what we’re anticipating is a lot of trouble (queue the dramatic music and grab some tissues).
Addiction and alcoholism have been consistent story lines on This Is Us, starting with Jack’s (Milo Ventimiglia) father, then exploring Jack’s own battles with alcohol as he worked his way through his demons, following his time in Vietnam. Last season, we watched as Kevin (Justin Hartley) relapsed into addiction and eventually came through the other end into recovery (for now at least).
And now in a flash forward, we’ve been introduced to Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Toby’s (Chris Sullivan) son, Jack (Blake Stadnik), fully grown and a newly famous singer—are you staying with us here? Good.